Slave Market Memory for the Slaves Stone Town

The slave market in Zanzibar island

Zanzibar is a tourist destination known as an island of fantastic, white sandy beaches, blue-turquoise sea and spices.
But do you know that the slave market in Zanzibar island was the last legally operating slave market in the world?
Yes, you read it well, and I was shocked too.
The slave market in Zanzibar was officially closed in 1873, under pressure from the British government.

During our Zanzibar adventure, we visited its capital Stone Town. In the centre of Stone Town, there was the former Slave market. Today, exactly on this place, the Anglican Christ church was built in 1873. Near the church, there is the Memorial Museum with an exhibition that shows a detailed history of slavery in Zanzibar.

Our tourist guide Mussa from Upendo Tours Agency told us about the history of the slave market. Even though it was a very dark and sad story, it is worth hearing it and seeing The East African Slave Trade exhibition as well.

So, let me tell you something about the Slave market.

Anglican Cathedral and Memorial Slave Centre Stone Town

Anglican Cathedral, and Memorial Slave Centre, Stone Town

 

The history of slavery

To understand the whole story of the slave market, we have to go back into history for a while.

Because of its specific position in the Indian Ocean, the history of Zanzibar was very turbulent. Unguja (Zanzibar) was a perfect place and port for traders voyaging between the African Great Lakes, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian southern region.

The first inhabitants of Zanzibar Island were the Africans, Bantu people from the mainland of Africa 3,000-4,000 years ago.

The next were the Persians, who came from the Middle East in the 10th century. They named the island Zangi-bar, which means “the land of the Black people” (Persian words Zangi = Black, Bar = the Place of). Over a brief period, they became absorbed into the local population with their specific language – Swahili. This African-Persian population converted to Islam and adopted many Persian traditions.

 

Slave trade in Zanzibar

While searching for a route to India, the Portuguese came to Zanzibar at the beginning of the 16th century. They traded in spices and ivory, but also in slaves. Zanzibar was a part of the Portuguese Empire for almost two centuries.

In the 17th century, the Omani Arabs expelled the Portuguese and established control over many settlements, including Zanzibar. The ruling sultan of Oman, Said bin Sultan Al-Said, relocated his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar. The late 18th and early 19th centuries were a period of rapid expansion of the slave trade.

Together with the ivory, clove and spice trade, the slave trade was very important for the economy. Zanzibar had a central role in trade routes into the interior of Africa. And the new city on the Swahili coast was born: Zanzibar City or Stone Town.

Slaves Carry Ivory Zanzibar

Porters with the Ivory tusks, Karonga, Lake Nyasa, British Central Africa

 

The slave market in the 19th century

The 19th century was a period of the most rapid expansion of the slave trade. It was a very lucrative business conducted by Europeans, Arabs, Indians, coastal people and ethnic leaders in the mainland.

The streets in Zanzibar were full of slaves, accounting for more than two-thirds of the population.
People were taken from a vast area, extending south of Lake Nyasa (now Malawi), west of Lake Tanganyika (now DR Congo), and north of Lake Victoria (now Uganda), to the Stone Town open slave markets. Today, this area includes countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Ruanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, and  Mozambique. However, people from Zanzibar were free and not slaves.

Local's life, and the map of Africa for slave market

Local life, and the map of Africa, which shows from where the people are taken from a vast area

 

The captives were from different cultures and language groups, and usually, the whole families were taken to slavery. Some of them were skilled craftsmen and women, musicians, ironworkers, and farmers. They lived in settled communities and engaged in hunting, fishing, and gathering firewood.

 

The journey: from homes to the slave market

Travelling in caravans was very a popular way of travelling through the centuries. So, it was a better and safer way than travelling alone. Many of them also had armed guards. And the slave traders travelled with their captives in caravans, using the existing East Africa trade routes to the coast.

But it was a horrible journey. They travelled for days, sometimes for weeks, with minimum food and water. Some people died of exhaustion, disease or malnourishment. The captives were in chains to be prevented from running away, and whoever attempted to escape was shot. On long journeys, sometimes the slaves were sold to new owners on the way.

Then the slaves were brought to Zanzibar in dhows, wooden boats, where as many as possible were packed in with no regard for their comfort or safety. Many of them did not survive the journey to Zanzibar Island.

the Map Illustrates the Caravan Routes to the Coast of East Africa

The map illustrates the caravan routes carrying ivory, slaves and other goods to the coast of East Africa

 

The slave market in Stone Town

In the 19th century, except in Zanzibar, there were two other important slave trade centres, such as Kilwa in Tanzania Mainland, and Quelimane in Mozambique. But in the middle of the 19th century, Stone Town in Zanzibar became the major slave trade centre for the whole region of Eastern Africa.

The buyers and sellers were Zanzibar’s merchants, leading citizens, and businessmen, then Arabs, Somalis, and merchants from India and Mauritius. One of the most famous slave traders was Tippu Tip, who worked successively under several Sultans. He was a Swahili Zanzibar slave trader, ivory trader, plantation owner, and governor. And he led many trading expeditions into Central Africa.

Every year, about 40,000 – 50,000 slaves were taken to Zanzibar.
About a third went to work on the clove and coconut plantations of Zanzibar and Pemba. The rest were exported to Persia, Arabia, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Ottoman Empire, and Egypt. Almost 30% of the male slaves died every year because of horrible conditions on the plantations. The young women were sold for harems or help in the houses.

Document Showing Imported and Exported Slaves During the Month of May 1866

Document showing imported and exported slaves during May 1866

 

The slave market at Mkunazini, in Stone Town

After captives arrived in Zanzibar, the slave traders imprisoned them in underground chambers. It was a test.
If they lived for more than three days, they would be sold on the market at Mkunazini, in Stone Town.

The slaves were stripped completely naked and cleaned. They were forced to walk nude, in a line up in rows, according to age or gender. The potential buyers checked their health condition: from mouth and teeth to their feet, and every part of the body, including intrusive examinations on women. So, if the price was agreed, the naked slaves would be delivered to their future masters.

Slave Market Buyers Slaves and Traders

Slave market: buyers, slaves, and traders

 

But there is something more.
The slaves were tied to a tree and whipped with stinging branches. It was a demonstration of their strength. Those who didn’t cry or scream during the whipping got a higher price at the market. Terrible isn’t it…?

 

The slave chambers in the slave market

Today in this place you can see only 2 of the 15 slave chambers.
According to a story, a larger chamber was for 75 persons, women and children. The second is smaller and intended for 50 men.
The chambers were used to keep slaves before taking them to the market for an auction.

in the Front of Slaves Chamber Stone Town Slave Market

In front of the entrance in the Slave chamber

 

The conditions in the chambers were terrible. The chambers had small windows and no fresh air. Food and water were very limited. In the centre of the chamber, there were channels used as toilets. With these channels, the chambers were connected with the ocean. So, during the high tide, the water would rise about 30 cm inside and clear most of the excrement away.

Slaves Chamber Stone Town Slave Market Zanzibar

Slaves chamber

 

But when the tide was low, can you imagine the smell in the tiny chamber?
So many people died, especially children, because of starvation and suffocation.

Slave Chamber Stone Town Slave Market

Slave chamber

 

We were in chambers for only a few minutes.
Believe me, we felt so claustrophobic. And could not wait a moment to escape from the chambers!

 

Dr David Livingstone, an explorer, and anti-slavery activist

David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary, doctor, writer, and explorer of Africa.
He joined the London Missionary Society and in 1840 came to Africa for the first time. David Livingstone identified and mapped numerous geographical places in Africa (lakes, Tanganyika, Zambia, Congo, etc). One of his most famous explorations was the Victoria Falls in Zambezi River, which he found in November 1855.

David was one of the first missionaries who was fighting against slavery and the slave trade. His reports and stories about the slaves’ life in Africa led to the creation of the Mission for the abolition of slavery and the establishment of the Anglican Church. Well, he was a real national hero.

Dr David Livingstone an Anti slavery Activist

Dr David Livingstone, and his companions Susi and Chumah

 

His last journey was searching for the source of the River Nile. But he got sick and on 1st  May 1873 died of malaria and dysentery at Chitambo village, now northern Zambia. His loyal African servants and companions, Abdullah Susi and James Chumah found him dead.

David loved Africa so much that he ordered Susi and Chumah to remove his heart and bury it in the African soil after his death. And they really buried David’s heart under the tree at the spot where he died, in Chitambo village. They embalmed his body and carried it to the coast and, after a difficult journey, his body arrived in England. Finally, David Livingston was buried in Westminster Abbey on April 18, 1874, after a great Victorian funeral.

 

Abolition of slavery

The British government in London sent the warships to the Indian Ocean, to prevent the slave trade.
Thousands of East African slaves were freed by the British Navy from dhows.

Captured Slave Traders Slave Market

Captured slave traders

 

In 1861 Zanzibar was separated from Oman and became an independent sultanate.

But 5th of June 1873, Sultan Barghash of Zanzibar was forced under the threat of a British naval bombardment to prohibit the slave market. It was the Anglo-Zanzibar war (the shortest war in history, which lasted only 38 minutes). As a result, all public slave markets were closed.

However, the slaves were not automatically freed. They had to apply for manumission through colonial officials, according to the abolition decrees in 1897 and 1909. And the concubines had to wait 12 years more to be free, but they could still take care of their children.

Freedom from the Slaves

Freedom from the slaves

 

Many freed slaves in Zanzibar left the plantations. They moved to rural lands, planted trees and built new houses. Thousands of former slaves crossed the creek in Stone Town, seeking new work and opportunities for a new life.

And in 1890, the British proclaimed a protectorate over Zanzibar, which lasted for more than 70 years.

 

Anglican Christ Church and Bishop Edward Steere

After the abolition of the slave trade in 1873, the English Missionaries bought the site of the Slave market.
Together with Edward Steere, the third Bishop of Zanzibar, they started building the Anglican Christ Church.

Anglican Christ Cathedral Stone Town Slave Market

Anglican Christ Cathedral, Stone Town

 

Unfortunately, Edward Steere died in 1882 from a heart attack, when the cathedral was almost completed.
He was a linguist and published works on several East African languages and dialects. One of his most important books is a Handbook of Swahili from 1870. He also translated a large part of the Bible into Swahili as well.

Because of his huge commitment to the abolition of the slave trade, Edward Steere was buried behind the altar of the cathedral.

Edward Steere Tomb Anglican Christ Cathedral Stone Town

Edward Steere, the third Bishop of Zanzibar

 

This high altar now stands exactly on the site where there was the whipping post, used for testing and punishing the slaves. Here you can see the circle in the stone which represents the post and blood from slaves.

the Circle of the Whipping Tree

The circle shows where was the whipping tree 

 

Behind the altar, there are the bishop’s throne and the copper panels which represent various Old Testament figures.

an Altar in the Anglican Christ Cathedral Stone Town

An altar in the Anglican Christ Cathedral

 

In the cathedral, you can see one wooden cross as well. It is known as Livingston’s Cross because it was made from the tree beneath which Dr David Livingstone’s heart was buried.

Livingston Cross Anglican Cathedral Stone Town

Livingston’s Cross, Anglican Christ Cathedral

 

At the entrance, near the baptistery, there are marble pillars.
These pillars were erected upside down by the mistake of workers when Bishop Steere was away.
So, when he came back,  it was too late to rectify the mistake. And the pillars stay in this position even now.

Anglican Christ Cathedral

Inside the Anglican Christ Cathedral

 

Illegal slave trade and finally abolition

Although the Slave market in Zanzibar was officially closed in 1873, it was not the end of slavery. Slave traders continued the illegal trade for at least two decades longer. The kidnapped slaves were hidden in caves or underground chambers in Zanzibar before they were sold and shipped to Arabia or Asia.

One of the illegal slave chambers is located in Mangapwani, 25 km north of Stone Town, on the western coast, and Pemba Island. Finally, the slave trade was abolished in 1904 in Kenya and in 1919 in Tanganyika.

After the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964, the Sultan, and some Arab and Indian inhabitants were expelled from the island.
In the same year, Tanganyika and Zanzibar were united in the Republic of Tanzania.

 

“Memory for the Slaves” on the former Slave market

Outside, in the cathedral’s garden, there is a Slave Monument, “Memory for the Slaves”.

It is a sculpture dedicated to the memory of slaves, made by Swedish artist Clara Sornas in 1998.
The monument consists of 5 five stone slave figures, men and women, young and old, in a pit. On their necks, they have chains from the dark slave period, connected with metal collars.

Slave Market Memory for the Slaves Stone Town

Slave market, Memory for the Slaves, Stone Town

 

It is difficult to explain the expressions on their faces. In a word, you can’t remain indifferent.
The pain, disability, tears, torture, and defiance, despite the chains…

Memory for the Slaves Stone Town Slave Market

Memory for the slaves, Stone Town

 

 

Freedom

According to the statistics, between 1500 and 1900, up to 17 million African slaves were transported by Muslim traders to the coast of the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and North Africa. Under Omani Arabs in the 19th century, about 50,000 slaves were passing through the city each year. Yes, Zanzibar was once East Africa’s main slave-trading port.

And today we could only ask why all these terrible things had happened.
So much suffering, tears, pain, destroyed families, and dead people. Well, all of that was because of the profit.

 

Even today, in some countries in the world, there are certain forms of slavery.

But everyone deserves to be happy and to live a life his/her way.

And everyone deserves to be free.

Because neither life nor freedom has no price.

 

 

author avatar
Natania
11 replies
  1. oprol evorter
    oprol evorter says:

    Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .

    Reply
  2. Womenos
    Womenos says:

    During this time, Arab slave traders along the Kenyan coast, established a holding port in the town of Shimoni where slaves were held before being shipped to the slave market on the island of Zanzibar .

    Reply
    • Natania
      Natania says:

      Dear Tansania safari, thanks a lot for your nice words. I’m glad you like the article.
      And your site and safari tours look amazing!!! You organize everything for the perfect safari adventure.
      Best regards, Natasha

      Reply
      • Tansania Safari
        Tansania Safari says:

        Hi Natasha,

        Thank you very much for your reply,

        Yes for sure we like your article, it’s really helpful.

        For sure we organized an amazing wildlife safari and Mountain trekking here in Tanzania.

        See you one day here in Tanzania. Keep on doing a good job.

        Updates us when you have a new post.

        Reply
        • Natania
          Natania says:

          Hello,
          great, and I hope to see you at a safari in Tanzania. It is on my travel list. Thanks a lot, keep in touch. Best regards, Natasha

          Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] for spices, the Portuguese also traded with ivory and slaves. After almost two centuries, from the beginning of the 18th century, the Omani Arabs ruled […]

  2. […] check out these links: The Guardian – Zanzibar’s Slave MarketNatania Travel Blog – Zanzibar Slave MarketLonely Planet – Anglican […]

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